Political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou deprogram you from mainstream media every weekday at 9 AM EST.
Today we discuss:
• In a wide-ranging Politico interview, Trump said ideological divisions threaten to fracture Washington's alliances with Europe. “I think [their leaders are] weak, but I also think that they want to be so politically correct. I think they don't know what to do.” Ukraine—where Zelensky says he’s finally ready to hold elections—is the main point of contention.
• Russia has long used Mexico as a base for espionage, earning it the nickname “the Vienna of Latin America” during the Cold War. American officials say those efforts scaled up after Russia invaded Ukraine. But the U.S. says Mexico is ignoring the issue. American officials who asked about a list of GRU spies were told the Mexican officials never got it, that it was too vague or that junior officials lost it.
• Afghan fighters who served in “Zero Units” led by the CIA spiraled into despair because of inability to work, bureaucratic neglect and abandonment by the U.S. government, driving at least 4 to suicide. One was Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the man charged with shooting National Guard soldiers in DC.
• Another city goes blue: Miamians elected Eileen Higgins as mayor, the first Democrat in 28 years. Higgins, a former county commissioner, defeated Republican Emilio González, an ex-city manager who had the endorsement of Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis, with 60% of the vote.
• NYT reports that Trump Administration weighed sending survivors of U.S. attacks on alleged drug boats to CECOT prison in El Salvador, to keep them away from American courts. Lawyers say information disclosed in a court could undermine the legality of the attacks and the political rationale.
